Punk band protest Vladimir Putin in street concerts

In colourful frocks and knitted ski masks, a new all-girl punk band is
challenging the Russian status quo with illegal concerts in the country's
capital, including on Red Square, the metro and on top of buses.

The women, who identify with the 90s feminist punk group Bikini Kill, explained why they think it important to bring their radical message directly to Moscow's streets.

They said that they were inspired to action after Russia's ruling tandem made an announcement saying they would switch places after the presidential election in March 2012.

While Putin remains Russia's most popular leader, the announcement from Medvedev and Putin in September led many in Russia to feel that the future of the country was being decided behind closed doors. This feeling and disputed State Duma elections on Dec 4, which Putin's United Russia party won, have galvanised opposition to the prime minister and spurred mass protests drawing thousands of people.

The women of Pussy Riot, however, say those protests are not enough. The protests, band members say, have become a tool of the regime because protest organisers must apply for permits and endure painstaking negotiations with city officials on time, location and number of protesters, in order to demonstrate legally.

Band members said careful planning guarded by secrecy goes into every performance. The women, who identify with the 90s feminist punk group Bikini Kill, explained why they think it important to bring their radical message directly to Moscow's streets.

Pussy Riot has no lead singer or frontman ideologue, and the women said they wear masks as a way of emphasising the cohesiveness of the group – not for security in anonymity. The names they use and their costumes are all interchangeable.

Members said they have been asked, and have refused, to perform at Russian opposition protest rallies.